Amy Goldman writes:
>My question is whether it normally takes this long for improvements to be
>seen, or if we should be trying to positively diagnose him before continuing
>this treatment?
 
Boy, does this sound like what I have been going through with Ollie for the
last month.  Nothing on the cultures, but poor boy squats and strains every
few feet, usually with no results.  His poop is thick and sticky, dark
green.  It is not ece.  I am starting him metronidazole since my vet thinks
it may be giardia or an anareobic bacteria.  He has some wieght loss but
otherswise is doing fine.
 
As for the teeth grinding, I am not sure that is what you are describing.
When they grind their teeth, you can hear it.  Maybe what you are talking
about is what they do with a sore throat.  I think it looks more like what a
person does who has just taken out their false teeth and their mouth is dry.
 
Jon Stewart writes:
>Are ferrets really worth all of the effort, and money you need to invest?
 
Unfortunately Jon, this is something that no one can answer for you.  Yes,
ferrets require more care and knowledge on the part of the owner than cats
or dogs do.  It can be expensive since vets have to buy supplies for a
smaller client base with ferrets.  And if you live in a place that they are
illegal, it can be a death sentence for the animal if caught.
 
That aside, I have had cats, dogs, birds, horses, aquariums, koi ponds and
ferrets.  Been around cows, pigs, sheep and chickens.  To me ferrets seem to
be the most *aware* of people and more intellegent.  I swear they take
advanced degrees in geometery in order to figure angles and momentun
required for gaining access to certain things.  (The How in the hell did you
get up there?  syndrome).  It is these very things that make them a more
time consuming pet.
 
Maybe you could arrange to babysit some ferrets for a few days to get a feel
for it and see if they are for you.
 
Mary Banks writes:
>First What does Dooks mean?  Second my ferret has a small lump on the end
>of  her tail, which I was told to be a tumor. Thirdly, my little girl
>unfortunately, likes to bite.
 
Well Mary, I am guessing that you mean dooks as in when it is written.  It
is the little chuckling type noise that ferrets make when they are real
happy or excited.  If you listen carefully it kinda sounds like "dook,
dook."
 
There are several different kinds of tumors or cysts.  You should have it
looked at and possibly removed because they be much more involved under the
skin than they appear.  There is not much to be done but surgical removal.
However removal also allows them to biopsied.  And vet might be able to
aspirate it with a needle also, which is drawing off fluid (if there) with a
needle and syringe.
 
As for biting, you didn't say how old your baby is.  Ferrets are like
puppies and kittens, they are mouthy when young.  Even if older, a ferret
must learn that it is hurting you.  Someitmes yelling no is all that is
needed.  Maybe a tap on the nose or scruffing might help too.  Sounds like
your little girl is pretty good and just needs to learn her limits with you.
I wouldn't be too concerned.  Even the best of mine sometimes bite too hard
when they get excited during play.  After Mom yells, they let go and look at
me like "oops, I'm sorry."
 
Jeff Doane writes:
>He had a rather chubby rear end, and now 2 months later he still has a
>chubby rear.
 
Sounds just like my Conan the Toebiter.  He was a fat little slob whose butt
all but dragged the ground.  Took him forever just to loose that little kit
face too, but he his just trim and muscular now, finally!  And a lot of my
boys seems to be denser than the little women.  Feel heavy for their size.
 
>Is it hopless or is there a way I could make a bath fun for
>them and make them want to take one.
 
I only have a couple out of 19 that like to be in water.  The rest throw a
fit!  One thing I have learned by trial and error is that they all enjoy a
shower, or at least tolerate it much better than baths.  I use a hand held
shower attachment.  They are pretty cheap and help with cleaning out the tub
too.
 
Mo' Maggie and the Mirthful Mayhem Mob
[Posted in FML issue 1843]